Bait-receptacle.



E. SPITZLER.

BAIT RECEPTACLE.

APPLiCATlON FILED SEPT.23, 1913.

1,140,625. Patented May 25, 1915.

Swvewlioz I ERNEST SPITZLER, or BOISE, IDAHO.

BAIT-RECEPTACLE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST SPITZLER, citizen of the United States, residing at Boise, in the county of Ada and State of Idaho, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bait-Receptacles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in live bait receptacles for fishermen.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a receptacle for live bait, such as grasshoppers or small frogs, from which the same may be removed one at a time, the

arrangement being such. that it is impossible for the frogs or other bait to leave the receptacle while one frog is being removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a receptacle ,in which the members which constitute the closure and which are subject to wear may be readily renewed and 'whenpositioned on the receptacle will be securely held against accidental displacement. r

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device which may be. conveniently supported on a belt, the arrangement of the closure being such that the bait may be removed by one hand of the user, there being no spring latches or securing devices to be actuated in operating theclosure.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is-a view showing the device attached to a belt. Fig. 2 a transverse section.

Fig. 3 a disassembled perspective View.

' In the drawings, 10 designates a'receptacle which is substantially oval, one side of the receptacle being substantially straight and provided with loops 12 and 13 through which the belt may be passed. The receptacle is provided with a plurality of perforations which admit air, and although a plurality of air holes are shown, any suitable means may be used to supply air to the receptacle.

The closure for the receptacle consists of a plurality of strips of elastic material 15 and 16 which are stretched across the open end 17 of the receptacle with their straight edges 18 and 19 overlapping. The curved edges of the strips 15 and 16 embrace the edge of the receptacle and are clamped thereto by means of a resilient retaining ring 20, which is of the same configuration as the open end of the receptacle,.a nd which may be readily brought into binding rela- Specifieation of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1915.

Application filed September 23, 1913. Serial No. 791,393.

closure for the open end of the receptacle.-

When it is desired to remove the bait from the receptacle, the thumb and fingers are inserted between the overlapping edges of the strips 15 and 16, forcing the strips apart and permitting the bait to be readily removed. In the removal of the bait, the edges of the strips will snugly embrace the fingers and, therefore, it will be impossible for any of the bait ,except that which is clasped by .the fingers, to leave the receptacle;

The many advantages of a construction of this character will be clearly apparent, as it will be noted that the receptacle may be conveniently positioned on the belt and that in attaching the bait to the hooks, one may grasp thehook with one hand and remove the bait from the receptacle with the other, the receptacle closing to prevent the bait from leaving the same, as soon as the thumb and fingers have been withdrawn from between the resilient strips which constitute the closure. This convenient application of the bait to the hooks is not possible where it is necessary to manipulate a latch mechanism to open the receptacle, support the cover in open position, remove the bait, and then close the receptacle. Such constructions as this not only re uire the use of both hands in the removal 0 the bait, but with such receptacles it is not possible to remove the bait one at a time, that is, the hinge cover for the receptacle must be quickly closed as the bait is removed. This closing of the hinge lid not only endangers the pinching of the fingers, but also injures the bait should they gain access to the edge of the receptacle. I

The present structure is such that it may be easily and economically maufactured, the

members which form the closure being so .tirely of elastic material adapted to yield throughout its entire area for affording access to the interior of the receptacleyand a clamping ring for maintaining the closure in position over the top of the receptacle.

2. A bait receptacle including an open topped body member and a closure for the open top, said closure consisting in two substantially semicircular sheets of elastic material, the' straight edge portion of said sheets being arranged to overlap and yieldably engage each other for normally forming a sealed seam between the sheets, and a clamping ring for securing the curved edge portions of the sheets against'the upper edge of the receptacle, said overlapping straight edge portions of the sheets being adapted to yield throughout their length whereby an opening may be created between the two sheets of elastic material to permit access to the interior of the receptacle.

3. A bait receptacle including a body member having an open top, aclosure for the open top, said closure consisting of two sheets of elastic material having adjacent edge portions overlapped to normally form a closed seam between the sheets, said straight edge portions being adapted to separate under force whereby an opening is provided to permit access to the interior of the receptacle, said sheets yielding throughout their entire area when such opening is created, and a clamping member for holding the sheets of material in position over the top of the receptacle.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses:

J. P. Porn, C. S. VVoon. 

